Nestled off Co Rd 48 near Jan’s Christmas Tree Farm lives the Forner family. My mom, my sister Terri and I went to visit earlier this week. My mom has known Cliff for over 50 years, so I thought they would enjoy chatting. There was a great deal of activity and many people visiting in the yard on the night we stopped. Extended family was still in town from Cliff’s 90th birthday party at Trinity Lutheran in Clear Lake this past weekend. 4 generations live at Cliff’s place.
Spending time with Cliff makes it evident that growing older is a blessing and a gift. He’s vivacious, quick-witted and enjoying life! Cliff also knew my dad because he was the Forners’ milkman when they milked cows in the 1950’s near Clear Lake.
Cliff was born in St. Cloud in 1926 to Anton and Minnie Forner. His family moved to North Dakota for 14 years and moved back to the Clear Lake area in 1942 when Cliff was 16. Cliff and his family owned a blacksmith business in Clear Lake for several years in the 1950’s.
Cliff was in the U.S. Navy on assignment from 1944 through 1947 in the South Pacific during World War II on what was termed a ‘Minority Cruise’ (a stint with the U.S. Navy for minors in which the parents of the minor had to o.k.the enlistment before it was legal).
Cliff met his future bride, Ione Gelle, at the Coloseum Dance Hall in Waite Park, MN, while home on furlough from the Navy. They wed Feb 14, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, where their family has been lifelong members.
All of the Forner children were baptized at Trinity and Cliff’s daughter Diane (Doering) has been church organist there for 53 years! The families’ faith has always been an integral part of their life.
Family is very important to Cliff and his family. I asked Cliff’s daughter Diane (Doering) what memories she cherishes most about her parents and growing up near Clear Lake. She told me: “My parents’ faith, their love for each other and their love for family.”
My mom and Cliff fondly recalled many local old timers who are no longer with us. I asked Cliff what may be the secret of his long life. Cliff explained he still does a series of exercises first thing every morning and stays quite active. For example, he works several days every week at his son Tom’s wood shop two miles down the road.
Cliff talked about the importance of living in harmony and not holding a grudge. We will all be wronged in this life at some point. Cliff’s advice is to truly forgive and not hold a grudge. He explained that he understands siblings will bicker, but feels families are a blessing meant to be close to one another - and it’s a tragedy when they are divided because of unforgiveness.
Cliff worked for 34.5 years for Burlington Northern and has enjoyed retirement for the past 35 years! He retired in 1981 at age 55. After retirement, Cliff and his wife (Ione) responded to an ad looking for volunteer laborers to help build churches around the U.S with the group Laborers for Christ. I noticed many pictures of churches lining the walls in the porch the night we visited.
Cliff explained how he and his wife helped build 37 churches as members of the Christian organization Laborers For Christ for seventeen years. Cliff and Ione helped build churches all over the United States; including Florida, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin and others. It just so happens that Cliff even helped build my uncle’s church (Wally Erickson) in Cross Lake 25 years ago.
Congregations would usually work alongside Cliff and Ione and the crew building the churches. Wally and Cliff became friends during the construction process and have kept in touch for the past 25 years. My uncle Wally drove to Clear Lake from Brainerd last week to catch up with Cliff in honor of his 90th birthday.
Cliff is an inspiration. He is truly enjoying the golden years. He greatly appreciates his five children, 11 grandchildren , 29 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.
